Manchester United supporters’ group The 1958 cancels protest against Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS after survey reveals divided fan opinion over their ownership.
A Manchester United supporters’ group, The 1958, has decided to cancel a planned protest march ahead of the Premier League season opener against Arsenal at Old Trafford. This follows a survey revealing a divided opinion among Red Devils fans regarding the minority ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
What Happened?
The protest was initially organized to voice displeasure over the club’s ownership structure, with The 1958 group intending to march before the match against Arsenal. However, after conducting a 26,000-strong survey, the group discovered that opinion was split on Ratcliffe’s involvement with Manchester United, leading them to postpone the protest.
The 1958 Group’s Statement
In a statement, the group explained their decision:
After careful reflection, and in light of the survey results, we have made the decision to postpone the planned protest for the Arsenal home game on Saturday, August 17th. For us, it has always been, and will always be, about the fans, protecting the future of Manchester United, affordable football for all, safeguarding fan culture, and ensuring the next generation of supporters inherit a club run with responsibility and respect.
The statement also emphasized the challenge of balancing the diversity of opinion within the fanbase and the consequences of protest actions. The group felt that it would be irresponsible to risk causing division among fans, especially given the current sentiment surrounding Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Survey Results
According to the survey results:
- 63% of supporters believe that Ratcliffe and INEOS should be judged on their actions so far.
- 68% of fans feel that Ratcliffe and INEOS deserve more time to prove their worth, with opinions ranging from giving them time until Christmas to even more than a season.
Despite the Glazer family’s ongoing unpopularity, many fans appear willing to wait and see how the minority owners handle the future of the club.
The Bigger Picture
The survey comes after United unveiled a newly redeveloped training ground and completed a £74 million signing of Benjamin Sesko. Though the Glazers remain the majority owners, Ratcliffe‘s minority stake has faced criticism due to his actions, including job redundancies, alongside substantial spending on new players. The next few months could be critical in determining his future relationship with the fanbase.
What’s Next for Manchester United?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team will be hoping that the Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17 will bring much-needed success on the pitch, which could help alleviate some of the mounting pressure on the club’s ownership. With divided opinions on the minority stake, United will be keen to unite the fanbase through positive results on the field.
